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G. N. PALMER, Stone Gatherer;

Patented May 12, 1868..

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GEORGE N--.-"PALME.R,IO F ennnnn nnw YORK.

Letters Patent No. 77,833, dated-M11312, 1868. i

IMPBOVEMEN'IIZIN scone-GATHERING MACHINE.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONGER'Nr V Be it known that I, GEORGE N. PALMER, of Greene, in the county of Chenango, inthe State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Machine for Gathering, Picking up, Loading, Carrying off, and Discharging Small Stones; and the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the'same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a section through aside elevation of the stone-picking, gathering, carryingofi', and depositing-apparatus. I v i l Figure 2 represents a plan or top view of the same, showing the connecting-gear and mode-of dividiiig the power and applying it to both driving-wheels, so asto prevent any side draught to. the machine. i

The object of my invention is to facilitate the clearing off the surface of land, seeded .down for mowing and other purposes, of all of the small boulders and loose stones that lay on the surface. so that mowing-machines and scythes can work close to the surface. j

My'invention consists in theconstruction of a. broad shoeor scraper, formed with a series of semicircular grooves or smooth channels, the front end having projecting points or fingers for picking and guiding small stones into the grooves, by the action of a series of rakes, having spring-teeth, which are secured at regular intervals to endless belts on both sides of the machine, so that the rake-teeth follow in'the groovesof the shoe or scraper to convey the stones backon, to anendless apron, whichis, driven by independent mechanism from one side driving-wheel, while. the series of rakes is operated by the other driving-wheel opposite; also in thearrangement for making the grooved shoeiand endless rakes movable, so that they will conform to the surface of the ground. p i 'i 7 To enable others to make and use my invention, I will describe it more fully, referring to the drawings, and to the letters marked thereon.

At any desired distance apart I place two frames, A A, the longitudinal'bars or side-pieces being tied together by halving in and bolting on two vertical bars ,B B, to secure them at a suitable distance apart-to form; the bearings for the journals of the endless-belt'rollers CC, so that the 5pm, I) b]: b, is placed in a position to receive the stones at a a a, as ,theyare drawn up the incline in the grooves'd'bl'd d,.in the shoe or scraper D, by. the action of the rake-teeth e e e e, in the heads E E Efwhidh are securcdi'to twocndless belts, F, or chaingear, driven by the cogs in the r ll r C- h I I I I i V The endless raking or stone-gathering mechanism extends. forward over'the-roller G, which is hung in curved runner-shaped pieces, gg, which are fastened to'the sides of the shde D, the same being pivoted-to"the front ends of thc lower' side-pieces. of the frame A A'insuch manner asito allow the shoe DandrakesE to riseand fall, so as to conformto the surface of the ground, there being a slight pressure to 'k'ee p'iton the surface by the action of the springs h h resting on the journals it' of the roller G, so that the ralges and their teeth a e e e will always retain their relative position to thcpoin'ts' 0-0 a of the grooved shoe D. I i

My improved stone-gatherer is made town on four wheels, I I, being on the forw ard'axle, H, which'passes throughbetween the front ends of the top and bottom pieces of the frame A A and the rake-belts F F, where itis secured to the rocker J by theking bolt j, so that the forward wheels are frce to cramp the machine to turn aronnd, the same-as an ordinary wagon, and a bail-tongue or shafts may be attached to the front axle in the ordinary manner.

The hind axle,:L, onv which the rear wheels, K K, run, is bolted to the top of the lower'side-piece of the frame A A, so that it is between thebelts or chains Zlof the endless apron or rack 15 b b b, which receive the stones from the grooved shoe D, and carry them over the roller 0 and drop them into the box M, which is secured to the rear ends of the lower longitudinal frame-piece A A, to,be carriedofl' from the field, the bottom of the .box M being hinged so as to fall down and'discha'rgc its load. The endless apron or rack is driven by a pinion, n, on'one end of the s-haft'ofthe roller G, and a spur-gear wheel, m, 0n-one of the driving wheels, K.

The rakes or gathering-mechzinism are put in-operation by the pinion 0, on the end of the shaft of the roller 0, and a counter cog-wheel, P, connecting it with the gear-wheel q, on the other drivingqvheel K, thus equal.

. crises izing the power applied to work' the machine between both driving-irhe'els., and efi'ectually preventing any side draught. 3

' A seat, R, may be placed on a, piece of board or plank, S, and supported in-au elevuted position on braces 11 p, to the top of the frame A A, for the driver. i

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Lett'ers Patent, is.- v

1 The broad shoe or scraper, formed with a. series of grooves or channels, and having projecting boints or fingers'for gathering end conveying smallstone s, as herein described.

2. claim the shoe D, as constructecl, in combination with a. series of rakes,E, with spring-teeth e e, when secured to endless belts F F, or chain-gear, for loosening and picking up small stones from the surface, of the ground, substantially as'herein set forth.

3, Lclaim' hing'ing the grooved shoe or scraper D to the frame A A, and controlling it by thesprings it h in such a. manner that it will adjust itself to the surfhcc oflthe g rouncl when in operation, substantially as herein described..

In testimony whereof, I hereby subscribe mynam e in the presence of-' V GEO. N. PALMER.

Witnesses:

J. B. Iivoomums', W. J. KmcnAM. 

